race

Free to Be You and Me is a record/book/theater piece/TV special conceived by Marlo Thomas that challenges gender and racial stereotypes by emphasizing strong positive values such as personal aspiration, individuality, cooperation, self-esteem, tolerance, and comfort with one?s identity.

The Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, MA celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Free to Be You and Me with a live panel discussion with Marlo Thomas, Alan Alda, and Letty Cottin Pogrebin about the empowering children's classic and the difference it made, as well as societal problems that persist for children today and strategies for progress.

For a nation steeped in adherence to the prohibition of enforced religious belief and impenetrable separation of church and state, as Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black: affirmed in 1947: “The First Amendment has erected a wall between church and state. That wall must be kept high and impregnable……” (Everson v Bd of Ed’n). Political paladins of various organized religions seem to have been bent on subverting and rescinding it, in favor of one or another preferred religious belief, ever since. That bent seems more prevalent today, than at any time since its adoption.

Sex, guilt and bold accusations permeate Race – a provocative play from multiple-Award-winning playwright David Mamet. The show begins previews tonight at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany. The play tackles America’s most controversial topic with the brilliant language that only Mamet can bring to the stage.